Zhang Zhirou did not know where she had heard the news, but it was rumored that it would snow today, and sure enough, it did.
Large, goose-feather-sized snowflakes drifted rapidly to the ground. Before the ones on the ground could melt, others fell atop them, and soon the surrounding landscape was cloaked in silver. While Yuancheng could not be called exceptionally prosperous, there were quite a few street vendors crying their wares; even in the snow, some persisted, and the streets remained lively.
It was not until they left the city that Shu He felt the surroundings turn quiet.
Inside the carriage, the freezing air assailed everyone. Zhang Zhili and Zhang Zhirou sat on one side, while the thin, frail-looking Shu He sat opposite them. Both siblings noticed that the backs of Shu He’s hands were covered in chilblains—red and swollen, with some parts festering and bleeding. Zhang Zhirou was filled with questions but did not know where to begin.
Seeing her clutching the "bundle" in her arms tightly, Zhang Zhirou tapped her own forehead, a flicker of chagrin crossing her face. "Look at my brain, I completely forgot about this!"
Zhang Zhirou unfastened her own fox-fur cloak and draped it over Shu He, perfectly wrapping little Xiao Yi'er inside. Shu He touched the cloak; it was thick and warm, and a sense of warmth bloomed in her heart.
"Many thanks, Miss Zhang."
Seeing this, Zhang Zhili also unfastened his cloak and handed it to her. He did not know that the bundle in Shu He's arms contained a child, simply saying, "Lady He, you are dressed far too thinly. Take mine as well. It’s freezing today; you shouldn't just cover your front—you need to cover your back, too!"
After getting into the carriage, Zhang Zhirou had asked for Shu He’s name. She did not tell the truth, saying only that her surname was He.
When Shu He emerged after dealing with Mother Chen’s family, she had only washed her face briefly. She had not had time to tend to the blood in her hair, so she had wrapped a headscarf around it to hide the color. If it weren't for the lingering beauty of her features, she might have been mistaken for an old woman fleeing for her life.
Those inside the carriage remained entirely unaware of the commotion at the city gate they had just passed.
"Make way! Make way!"
Qin Yi'an’s voice rang out loudly, and a group of constables arrived at the city gate.
The young captain guarding the gate asked with concern, "Head Constable Qin, what is the rush?"
"Have you seen a carriage from the General's Estate pass through?" Qin Yi'an asked sharply.
The young captain thought for a moment and said, "A few carriages have left, but none belonged to the General's Estate. What happened?"
A look of confusion appeared on Qin Yi'an’s face. He turned to his men and ordered, "Go to the General's Estate!"
The constables behind him looked at one another, feeling at a loss.
"Head Constable, isn't, isn't this a bit improper?" a constable whispered to him. "That is the General's Estate, after all. If we go like this, isn't it a bit too much of a scene?"
"Exactly! It's the General's Estate! If we march in there like this, people who don't know better might think we're raiding the place!"
Someone in the crowd muttered.
Qin Yi'an thought for a moment and decided, "The rest of you wait outside the General's Estate. Shen San, you come with me."
Shen San nodded; he was glad his superior was willing to listen to reason.
***
In the East Suburbs, Zhang Zhirou led Shu He into a two-courtyard compound. Upon entering, there was a large yard with flowers and plants on either side—a small garden, though it was devoid of life now, with only withered branches remaining. The courtyard was spacious and filled with furnishings, but it appeared as though no one had tended to it for a long time, giving it a desolate air. Fortunately, the layer of pristine white snow added a touch of elegance to the small garden.
Bypassing the front hall, Zhang Zhirou brought Shu He to the master bedroom in the second courtyard. The room was large, and Xiao Duo had already lit the *dilong* heating system, making the interior much warmer than the outside.
"This house hasn't been occupied for a long time, but please make do for tonight. Tomorrow, I will bring people to clean it up and purchase some new daily necessities for you."
Fortunately, even though the estate was left vacant, it was cleaned regularly, so the house was relatively neat and tidy.
Shu He said little, quickly unwrapping Xiao Yi'er and placing her on the bed. With the room’s temperature risen, Shu He opened Xiao Yi'er's clothes and, by candlelight, proceeded to sterilize her tools and apply acupuncture needles.
Zhang Zhirou and Zhang Zhili were struck dumb, unable to speak for a long while after seeing the emaciated little baby.
"This... why is this little sister so skin-and-bones thin?"
Zhang Zhili had thought his own body was frail and thin, but compared to the child before him, he had at least a few pounds of meat on his bones. This child, however, was nothing but skin stretched over a frame!
"Lady He, what... what happened?"
It was the first time Zhang Zhirou had ever seen a baby in such a tragic state. Even among the poorest of farmers, children were rarely treated with such neglect.
Furthermore, the child wasn't just thin; her skin was covered in blue and purple bruises, with a large, dark, festering contusion on her ribs that looked like the result of a brutal beating—it was shocking to behold!
Shu He had no time for them. After the needles were set, she still had to boil the medicine.
Learning that medicine was needed, Xiao Duo, who was with Zhang Zhili, quickly said, "My Lady, I know how to brew medicine. Tell me what to do, and I will take care of it."
"That’s right, my Lady. Most of my medicine is brewed by Xiao Duo. He is an expert at controlling the fire; even Doctor Xu said his decoctions are brewed perfectly!"
An hour soon passed.
By the time they finished feeding Xiao Yi'er the medicine, a few dishes had been set on the table, brought from the city by Xiao Duo and simply reheated.
Zhang Zhirou’s expression remained heavy; she still could not process the ordeal Shu He and her daughter had endured. Not wanting to show her tears, she sniffled and said, "Sister He, please rest easy here. Whatever you have done, it was justified! I will not let word of your whereabouts slip out."
"Xiao Yi'er is severely injured, and there will be heavy snow for the next few days. Do not go out; just stay home and take care of her. As for food, I will bring it myself. If I cannot make it, I will send Xiao Duo. Rest assured, Xiao Duo has been with A-Li since he was a child and is very discreet."
A soft look finally touched Shu He’s face. Having just returned to this world, she had been guarded against everyone. But Zhang Zhirou was a soft-hearted, kind person. To find someone compassionate enough to shelter them while Xiao Yi'er was critically injured was a stroke of fortune.
"Thank you, Miss Zhang. I will do my utmost to treat Young Master Zhang’s condition."
"Don't worry about me for now!" Zhang Zhili’s brows knitted slightly, and he immediately interjected, "Please focus on healing Sister Yi'er first. Her injuries are more serious."
Shu He’s expression darkened. She told Zhang Zhirou, "From now on, Young Master Zhang’s food must be prepared by someone you trust. Also, he must not eat any fish or shrimp from now on."
Zhang Zhirou’s expression shifted. Did this mean there was something wrong with A-Li’s food?
"Sister He?"
Shu He offered no further explanation. "I don't have time to make a full assessment right now. In a few days, bring Young Master Zhang back to see me."
Zhang Zhirou understood. "I understand, Sister He."
Shu He looked at the sky and said, "It is getting late; you should head back."
Night had long since fallen, and Zhang Zhirou knew she had to return, lest her family worry. "Very well. We will come back to see you tomorrow."
Zhang Zhili stepped forward eagerly. "I will come too!"
After seeing Zhang Zhirou and her group off, Shu He looked toward the adjacent courtyard while closing the door. Two plain lanterns hung by the entrance, swaying gently in the wind and snow, casting a soft, flickering glow. A gust of cold wind blew, and the lantern slammed against the door frame with a light thud.
Someone behind the door heard the noise and opened it to check, just in time to see the door of the neighboring courtyard closing. Two figures could be seen walking away through the snow to the north, looking like local villagers. To the south, a carriage vanished rapidly into the storm.
Why was this stretch of the East Suburbs so busy today?
Just then, a rustling sound came from next door.
There was no other movement save for the wind and snow. The old man who had closed the door asked curiously, "Since when was there someone living next door?"
"They arrived this afternoon. They must be some relatives of the Zhang Zhiyi family."
A calm, deep voice spoke up, startling the old man. "Good heavens! Nan Qi, can you stop appearing behind me without a sound? These old bones of mine can't take such frights!"
"Heh heh." Nan Qi chuckled apologetically. "My apologies, Uncle Zhang. I’m just used to it."
Uncle Zhang glared at him indignantly. "If you aren't busy protecting the Young Master, what are you doing out here?"
"The Master told me to let you know that we are departing tomorrow morning. I’m afraid I must trouble you, Uncle Zhang, to have the kitchen prepare some dry rations for us to take along."
"Leaving tomorrow?" Uncle Zhang looked up at the heavy, snow-filled sky, then at Nan Qi, who was already covered in snow despite having appeared only moments ago. "I fear this snow will continue for quite a while. The roads might not be easy to travel."
Nan Qi hadn't considered this. He looked up at the sky, and a snowball the size of a fist landed right on his eye. The icy sensation made him shudder. He shook his head to flick the snow away, looking thoroughly annoyed. "Why are there such big snowballs falling?"
Seeing this, Uncle Zhang couldn't help but laugh. "Get inside, quickly. I will see to what the Master requested."